Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Amazon Prime.
A Bollywood version of Muhammad Ali, Toofan (means storm, tempest, hurricane) is totally believable. This mainstream Hindi-language film (with English sub-titles) has the punches and jabs placed in the right spots — just so.
The elements of the boxing ring are familiar, done to perfection!
Aziz Ali (Farhan Akhtar, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Dil Chahta Hai), aka Ajju Bhai, is a small-time gangster known for his strong punches in street fights, but then he’s inspired to take up boxing after seeing Ali’s picture.
Now that his mind is made up, nothing is going to get in his way as he practises with commitment and convinces a much-favoured coach, Narayan Prabhu (Paresh Rawal) to take him on as a student. The demanding, cantankerous Prabhu then comes down hard on Aziz, believing in his ability to become high-quality boxer.
Thrown into the mix is an obvious storyline factor: there has to be some romance, which is provided by a pretty, lively, local doctor – in the shape of Ananya (Mrunal Thakur, Jersey, Batla House, Super 30).
Award-winning director Mehra (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Rang De Basanti) doesn’t recoil from intertwining elements of humanity and depicting prejudice among the cultural and social classes. In fact, he decorates them up with enough self-assurance and crispness so we, too, are in the same corner to cheer Aziz Ali.
With evident shades of Rocky … for a sports film, Mehra keeps the pace unexpectedly measured … with writers Vijay Maurya and Anjum Rajabali, intermittently adding spicy twists and turns to the dialogue.
Farhan Akhtar, who is also an accomplished director, screenwriter, playback singer, producer and television host, plays his role with great gall. His dedication to his craft is obvious. In a film where the standard story and unwarranted running time (three hours!) are downsides, it’s Akhtar’s commanding acting and some sincere moments that – kind of – bind the film together.
